Photos by Michael Hill: on the map, in Google Earth (KML)

We are fortunate here in the Midlands to have so many lovely canals.

For over a century Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has been transporting the people of Bridgnorth up and down the 111 ft sandstone cliffs that separate High Town from Low Town and the River Severn. It is first and foremost a working railway; its importance to both the townspeople of Bridgnorth and to visitors to the town is undiminished by age.

The railway operates two carriages on parallel tracks. Connected by steel cables, the carriages serve to counterbalance each other - as one rises to the top station, the other runs to the bottom station. The cars are now powered by an electric winding engine, but were originally driven by a system of water balance, each carriage carrying water ballast in a tank beneath the passenger compartment.

Hampton Court, Herefordshire (Difficult to find) is a castle on the meadows of the river Lugg, backed by a steep wooded escarpment and surrounded by woodland and grounds of 1,000 acres. Founded by King Henry in the early 15th century the castle has been completely restored. The Van Kampen Gardens at Hampton Court are spectacular and although a recent development, are now receiving national recognition. The estate workshops are staffed by our skilled craftsmen whose high standard of workmanship can be seen throughout the gardens and in the castle.

In the churchyard is the ground-level stump of a Canadian cypress tree which was known as the Mourning Tree. The stump is carved with the date, 1996, when the tree was felled and in the angle formed by two paths that went round it there is a tablet inscribed: 'This tree marks the grave of John Dyke, who was hanged for rick burning in 1830 at the last public hanging at Penenden Heath. Subsequently, it was found that he was not guilty of the crime.' In fact, years after Dyke was hanged, another man made a deathbed confession to the crime. He was buried on the opposite side of the church, so that the innocent Dyke's unjustly maligned spirit should not be offended by his proximity.

This photo looks across to the old Farmers Arms Pub (Ex Poorhouse), now being changed into a restaurant. Behind is Kempsey Common a place of real beauty and abundant wildlife, spoilt only by the M5 Motorway’s noise. On the horizon can be seen the Malvern Hills.

Kingsbury Water Park has 15 lakes situated in over 600 acres of country park.

Buried under an oak tree, with wife in Minstead Churchyard, Hampshire, England. He is best remembered as the creator of the fictional detective "Sherlock Holmes", which has become one of the most famous fictional characters of all time. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he began practicing medicine in 1882, but was not a great success. While waiting for patients, he started writing short stories as a hobby, but his early writings earned him only pocket money. His first great success came with his first Sherlock Holmes novel, "A Study in Scarlet" (1887). In Holmes, Doyle created a detective who used observation and logic to solve crimes, which Doyle had patterned after a real-life Scotland Yard detective. For this, Doyle is credited with creating the investigative detective.

This Chinese House is part of the Shugborough Estate - The Complete Working Historic Estate near Stafford in the heart of Staffordshire.

This view of Newark Priory is taken from the Guildford Canal. The Priory was founded at the end of the twelfth century by Ruald de Clane and his wife Beatrice of Send and dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Thomas a Beckett. It was a "novo loco" - a new place for monks from nearby, the name changing over the years to Newstead and then finally Newark.

On the shore of Horsley lake, this beautiful Site is perfect for fishing or simply watching the world go by. It is a haven for wildlife – foxes, deer, rabbits and ducks are all regular visitors. Not all campers can pitch by the lake.